Denmark tries to block Nord Stream 2

A law was discussed in the Danish Parliament on 12 October which would allow Denmark to assess whether activities in its territorial waters are compatible with its foreign policy and security interests. The law was supported by a majority and if it goes through the legislative process, it will enter into force on 1 January 2018. The new law would allow Denmark to block the controversial Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline construction project which, according to critics, will increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas

Denmark has attempted to block Nord Stream 2 in the past but the current legislation does not allow it, not to mention that Denmark has allowed the construction of the Nord Stream 1 project before. Paradoxically, if the new law enters into force it will only allow Denmark to block Russian access to its own territorial waters and the Nord Stream 2 project as a whole will continue. Gazprom and other European companies involved in pipeline construction have already stated it is not a problem to redirect the pipeline to avoid Danish territorial waters and these steps will be made depending on the current situation. The criticism of the gas pipeline comes mainly from Central and Eastern European countries who are morally appealing to the EU due to Nord Stream 2 bypassing Ukraine which is virtually dependent on Russian gas. However, the EU has no legitimate means to stop the construction.